The conclusion of the Findhorn Bay Arts Festival last night brought a five-day jamboree of drama, music, and visual arts to a colourful end.
The fledgling festival challenged audiences of thousands between Wednesday and Sunday with events such as Macbeth the Remix, which used the walls of Brodie Castle as a canvas to lend a wonderfully grotesque Moray twist to The Bard’s famous Scottish Play.
Shrewd use of light and projection – combined with a live metal band,motorbikes and a Dickensian choir – allowed acast of local and professional actors to put on a current and approachable production of a Shakespeare staple.
Street markets, cook-outs and an evening with Eddi Reader and Charlie McKerron from Capercaillie were among the other highlights.
Art shows included the work of graphic designer and photographer, Adriana Bijman, originally from the Netherlands, who found her way to Findhornvia four other European countries in 1998 andnever left.
Her Youth @ Findhorn exhibition was a series of photographs of local teenagers, whose voices are seldom heard.
She said: “My work tells their stories. A lot of people see youngsters at the bus stop, with hoods up over their heads, very shy or nervous, and people can think that is quite aggressive.
“But, that is just one side, and I remember how I felt. I felt compelled to show the compassion of kids at that age. To show their hopes, fears and dreams.
“People come and see the pictures and make up their own stories, then they read the captions and see something quite different.”
Findhorn Bay arts marketing and PR officer Emma Blyth said: “The Findhorn Bay Arts Festival has been an overwhelming success in its first year with many events selling out and great feedback already flooding in.
“We don’t want it to end, and we’re already looking forward to the next festival which is planned for 2016.”